Influential Woman · Brand Management and Travel Technology
Mariya Pallais
Co-Founder | Travel Tech Entrepreneur, Mariya Pallais | Pink Fins Brand Management
Irvine, CA 92606
Her Story
About Mariya
Mariya Pallais is a brand management and travel technology entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of Pink Fins Brand Management, where she helps founders and their companies build cohesive, recognizable, and highly visible brands. With approximately a decade of experience spanning brand management, marketing, public relations, reputation management, and travel-related ventures, she approaches branding as a comprehensive ecosystem rather than simply a visual identity. Her work brings together positioning and messaging, website strategy, press coverage, search visibility, paid media, content, and founder positioning to create consistency across the channels through which prospective customers encounter a company.
Pallais began her professional career in the travel and technology space, including experience with Airbnb and its partnership with Vivint Smart Home. Her interest in travel, entrepreneurship, and flexible work ultimately led her to establish her own ventures, evolving from Accelerate Marketing into what is now Pink Fins Brand Management. She is also a Co-Founder of WanderGays and is developing Trip Heist, a travel technology venture. Through these businesses, she combines her professional expertise with her passion for global connection, travel, remote entrepreneurship, and helping women entrepreneurs strengthen their visibility and presence.
A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, with a background in communications, Pallais also earned an associate degree in business, management, marketing, and related support services from Santa Monica College. Her professional philosophy emphasizes authenticity, visibility, and the willingness to pursue opportunities without allowing conventional expectations to dictate one's path. She particularly encourages women entering entrepreneurship and other male-dominated spaces to use their voices, recognize the value of their perspectives, and pursue careers that allow them to build businesses and lives on their own terms.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mariya
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women who want to enter my industry to absolutely pursue it, particularly if they are interested in travel, entrepreneurship, and building a career that offers remote flexibility. This industry can provide opportunities to create something of your own while working from different places around the world, so I would not let anyone discourage you from pursuing that path.
As a woman entrepreneur working in a traditionally male-dominated space, I believe it is important not to allow yourself to be silenced. Your perspective matters, your ideas have value, and your visibility is important. Be willing to take up space, speak with confidence, and make sure your voice is heard.
Most importantly, do not allow other people's expectations or limitations to determine what you can accomplish. If traveling, entrepreneurship, and creating an independent career are what you want, pursue them with confidence and do not let anyone dim your ambition.
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